Does self-compassion protect adolescents with non-suicidal self-injury from developing borderline features? A two-wave longitudinal study.

Background: Adolescence is a vulnerable developmental stage for the onset of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and borderline features, which are related psychological phenomena. Self-compassion reflects a sensitivity to own suffering and a motivation to relieve it, consisting of a more positive and beneficial self-to-self relationship. The aim of the present study was to test the effect of self-compassion between borderline features at baseline and six months with a sample of adolescents with a history of NSSI.Methods: At assessment wave one, participants were 139 Portuguese adolescents with an NSSI history (mean age = 15.52 years, SD = 0.87). Of these, 87 were re-assessed six months later (mean age = 15.46 years, SD = 0.86). Data were analysed through SPSS and PROCESS Macro.Results: The moderation model explained 56% of borderline features six months later, and the interaction between initial borderline features and the low and medium levels of self-compassion was significant. Youth with lower initial borderline features presented higher borderline features six months later if they had low self-compassion.Conclusions: These findings suggest that among adolescents with a history of NSSI, those with lower levels of self-compassion tend to exhibit higher borderline features in six-month when compared to their peers with higher levels of self-compassion. This observation emphasises the potential beneficial effect of self-compassion within this population.

Supernumerary B Chromosomes of Tetragonisca fiebrigi Share Repeat Content with Standard Chromosome Set of both T. fiebrigi and Tetragonisca angustula (Apidae: Meliponini).

The stingless bees Tetragonisca angustula and Tetragonisca fiebrigi are widely distributed in Brazil, and both are commonly known as "jataí." Our goal was to investigate the possible origin of the B chromosomes in T. fiebrigi, a cytotaxonomic trait that differentiates T. fiebrigi from T. angustula. We analyzed diploid chromosome number (2n), B chromosome incidence, patterns of constitutive heterochromatin, and in situ localization of different repetitive DNA probes in T. angustula and T. fiebrigi. Both species displayed 2n = 34, with similar karyotype structures. One to three B chromosomes were observed in T. fiebrigi only. Constitutive heterochromatin was distributed on one arm of all chromosomes in both species, and T. fiebrigi B chromosomes were mainly heterochromatic with one euchromatic extremity. The (GA)15 and (CAA)10 microsatellite probes marked the euchromatic arms of all chromosomes in both species without marking the B chromosomes. The 18S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) probe marked 10 chromosomes in T. angustula and 6 A chromosomes in T. fiebrigi with an additional marking on 1B in individuals with 3B. The Tan-Bsp68I repetitive DNA probe marked the heterochromatic portion of all T. fiebrigi A and B chromosomes. This probe also marked the heterochromatic portion of all T. angustula chromosomes; therefore, both alternative hypotheses to the B chromosome origin are possible: (i) from the A chromosome complement of T. fiebrigi (intraspecific origin); or (ii) a by-product of genome reshuffling following the hybridization between T. fiebrigi and T. angustula (interspecific origin).

An artificial aquatic polyp that wirelessly attracts, grasps, and releases objects.

The development of light-responsive materials has captured scientific attention and advanced the development of wirelessly driven terrestrial soft robots. Marine organisms trigger inspiration to expand the paradigm of untethered soft robotics into aqueous environments. However, this expansion toward aquatic soft robots is hampered by the slow response of most light-driven polymers to low light intensities and by the lack of controlled multishape deformations. Herein, we present a surface-anchored artificial aquatic coral polyp composed of a magnetically driven stem and a light-driven gripper. Through magnetically driven motion, the polyp induces stirring and attracts suspended targets. The light-responsive gripper is sensitive to low light intensities and has programmable states and rapid and highly controlled actuation, allowing the polyp to capture or release targets on demand. The artificial polyp demonstrates that assemblies of stimuli-responsive materials in water utilizing coordinated motion can perform tasks not possible for single-component devices.

Fertility and fertility preservation knowledge in Portuguese women.

BACKGROUND: Knowledge about fertility and factors affecting it, for example, the impact of age, seem to be lacking, even in highly educated populations. The same applies to fertility preservation knowledge, pointing to the relevance of increasing fertility preservation awareness and education among young women. OBJECTIVE: To describe general fertility knowledge and factors affecting fertility, fertility preservation knowledge and attitudes, and the desire to access more information on this topic in a sample of reproductive-age Portuguese women. METHODS: The sample comprised 257 Portuguese women aged 18-45, mostly single and nulliparous. A questionnaire was developed explicitly for this study and disseminated through social media advertisements. RESULTS: Career building/development and financial stability were the more endorsed options for delaying childbearing, with 90 (35%) and 68 (26.5%), respectively. Most participants considered becoming a mother important (n = 185; 72%). More than halve provided an incorrect answer regarding the age range of women being more fertile (n = 132; 51.4%) and the age range of fertility decline (n = 168; 65.4%). Participants were aware of the influence of lifestyle and sexual health factors as well as the effect of age. Oocytes cryopreservation was the technique participants knew more (n = 206; 80.1%), but 177 (68.9%) showed no interest in using it. Most participants agreed that fertility and fertility preservation information should be provided during medical consultations or at school. CONCLUSIONS: More information regarding fertility and fertility preservation is relevant to ensure that more women can make informed decisions concerning their reproductive life.

Complementary Effect of Maternal Sildenafil and Fetal Tracheal Occlusion Improves Lung Development in the Rabbit Model of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of combining antenatal sildenafil with fetal tracheal occlusion (TO) in fetal rabbits with surgically induced congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). BACKGROUND: Although antenatal sildenafil administration rescues vascular abnormalities in lungs of fetal rabbits with CDH, it only partially improves airway morphometry. We hypothesized that we could additionally stimulate lung growth by combining this medical treatment with fetal TO. METHODS: CDH was created on gestational day (GD)23 (n=54). Does were randomized to receive either sildenafil 10 mg/kg/d or placebo by subcutaneous injection from GD24 to GD30. On GD28, fetuses were randomly assigned to TO or sham neck dissection. At term (GD30) fetuses were delivered, ventilated, and finally harvested for histological and molecular analyses. Unoperated littermates served as controls. RESULTS: The lung-to-body-weight ratio was significantly reduced in sham-CDH fetuses either (1.2 ±â€Š0.3% vs 2.3 ±â€Š0.3% in controls, P=0.0003). Sildenafil had no effect on this parameter, while CDH fetuses undergoing TO had a lung-to-body-weight ratio comparable to that of controls (2.5 ±â€Š0.8%, P<0.0001). Sildenafil alone induced an improvement in the mean terminal bronchiolar density (2.5 ±â€Š0.8 br/mm2 vs 3.5 ±â€Š0.9 br/mm2, P=0.043) and lung mechanics (static elastance 61 ±â€Š36 cmH2O /mL vs 113 ±â€Š40 cmH2O/mL, P=0.008), but both effects were more pronounced in fetuses undergoing additional TO (2.1 ±â€Š0.8 br/mm2, P=0.001 and 31 ±â€Š9 cmH2O/mL, P<0.0001 respectively). Both CDH-sham and CDH-TO fetuses treated with placebo had an increased medial wall thickness of peripheral pulmonary vessels (41.9 ±â€Š2.9% and 41.8 ±â€Š3.2%, vs 24.0 ±â€Š2.9% in controls, P<0.0001). CDH fetuses treated with sildenafil, either with or without TO, had a medial thickness in the normal range (29.4% ±â€Š2.6%). Finally, TO reduced gene expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and surfactant protein A and B, but this effect was counteracted by sildenafil. CONCLUSION: In the rabbit model for CDH, the combination of maternal sildenafil and TO has a complementary effect on vascular and parenchymal lung development.

The emotional impact of the Covid-19 pandemic in women facing infertility.

People facing infertility are inevitably affected by COVID-19 pandemic, having to delay their parental projects. This study aimed to explore the emotional impact (depression and anxiety symptoms and perceived stress) of the COVID-19 pandemic in Portuguese women pursuing assisted reproductive technology (ART). Results showed 67.4% of participants were in confinement but were dealing with it in a reasonably positive way. Women who continued to work at their workplace presented significantly higher levels of depressive and anxiety symptoms than those who stayed at home. No significant differences were found regarding depression and anxiety symptoms scores when comparing the current sample with an infertility reference sample and a community sample. Depressive and anxiety symptoms remained stable, but there was a significant decrease in perceived stress over the eight-week period. Although these findings do not suggest a worsening of psychological difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic, health professionals should be attentive to patients' long-term psychological consequences. It may be helpful to provide additional psychological support to women when restarting their ART treatments.

Experiential avoidance, uncompassionate self-responding, and peritraumatic depersonalization/derealization: A novel mediation model for war-related PTSD symptomatology.

OBJECTIVE: To explore a novel model for war-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptomatology including emotion regulation processes, namely experiential avoidance (EA) and uncompassionate self-responding (USR), mediating the impact of childhood threat memories, combat exposure distress, combat and noncombat threats, and peritraumatic depersonalization/derealization (PDD) on PTSD symptomatology. METHOD: A sample of 650 male Portuguese Overseas War veterans filled self-report instruments. RESULTS: The model explained 59% of the variance of PTSD symptomatology. Both EA and USR mediated the effects of noncombat threats and PDD on PTSD. Additionally, EA mediated combat exposure distress and USR mediated childhood threat memories. Combat exposure distress, combat and noncombat threats, and PDD showed direct effects on PTSD symptomatology. CONCLUSION: The findings help to better understand the relationship between predictive factors of war-related PTSD in clinical and research settings, providing novel insights on the effects of combat exposure distress, and the different effects of combat and noncombat-related threats on PTSD.

Psychological inflexibility in university students: the european portuguese version of the acceptance and action questionnaire-university students.

Psychological inflexibility is defined as a transdiagnostic mechanism characterized by rigid efforts to control psychological reactions to painful, undesirable, unpleasant internal experiences. The Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-University Students (AAQ-US) was designed to assess students' academic context-related psychological inflexibility. This study adapted the AAQ-US to Portuguese and examined its factor structure, validity, and reliability in a college student sample (sample 1: N = 262). Exploratory factor analysis and parallel analysis suggested a two-factor structure. A confirmatory factor analysis was conducted in a second sample to cross-validate the AAQ-US factor structure (sample 2: N = 260). One higher-order factor (psychological inflexibility) with two lower-order factors (cognitive fusion and experiential avoidance) revealed a very good fit to the data. The AAQ-US total and dimensions showed good reliability, convergent and incremental validity. Overall, the Portuguese version of the AAQ-US is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing context-specific psychological inflexibility in university students.

Chromosome Evolution in the Genus Partamona (Apidae: Meliponini), with Comments on B Chromosome Origin.

The genus Partamona includes 33 species of stingless bees, of which 11 were studied cytogenetically. The main goal of this study was to propose a hypothesis about chromosomal evolution in Partamona by combining molecular and cytogenetic data. Cytogenetic analyses were performed on 3 Partamona species. In addition, the molecular phylogeny included mitochondrial sequences of 11 species. Although the diploid number was constant within the genus, 2n = 34, B chromosomes were reported in 7 species. Cytogenetic data showed karyotypic variations related to chromosome morphology and the amount and distribution of heterochromatin and repetitive DNA. The molecular phylogenetic reconstruction corroborated the monophyly of the genus and separated the 2 clades (A and B). This separation was also observed in the cytogenetic data, in which species within each clade shared most of the cytogenetic characteristics. Furthermore, our data suggested that the B chromosome in the genus Partamona likely originated from a common ancestor of the species that have it in clade B and, through interspecific hybridization, it appeared only in Partamona rustica from clade A. Based on the above, Partamona is an interesting genus for further investigations using molecular mapping of B chromosomes as well as for broadening phylogenetic data.

Animal models for pelvic organ prolapse: systematic review.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: We aimed to summarize the knowledge on the pathogenesis of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) generated in animal models. METHODS: We searched MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane and the Web of Science to establish what animal models are used in the study of suggested risk factors for the development of POP, including pregnancy, labor, delivery, parity, aging and menopause. Lack of methodologic uniformity precluded meta-analysis; hence, results are presented as a narrative review. RESULTS: A total of 7426 studies were identified, of which 51 were included in the analysis. Pregnancy has a measurable and consistent effect across species. In rats, simulated vaginal delivery induces structural changes in the pelvic floor, without complete recovery of the vaginal muscular layer and its microvasculature, though it does not induce POP. In sheep, first vaginal delivery has a measurable effect on vaginal compliance; measured effects of additional deliveries are inconsistent. Squirrel monkeys can develop POP. Denervation of their levator ani muscle facilitates this process in animals that delivered vaginally. The models used do not develop spontaneous menopause, so it is induced by ovariectomy. Effects of menopause depend on the age at ovariectomy and the interval to measurement. In several species menopause is associated with an increase in collagen content in the longer term. In rodents there were no measurable effects of age apart of elastin changes. We found no usable data for other species. CONCLUSION: In several species there are measurable effects of pregnancy, delivery and iatrogenic menopause. Squirrel monkeys can develop spontaneous prolapse.

Socioeconomic inequalities in children's health-related quality of life according to weight status.

OBJECTIVES: This study explores the association between socioeconomic position (SEP) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among Portuguese children according to their weight status. METHODS: A total of 1215 primary school-aged children (mean age 8.78 years) from three Portuguese districts (Lisbon, Porto, Coimbra) were assessed during 2016/2017. Father and mother's education (low, medium, high) and work status (employed, unemployed/retired) were used as SEP indicators. Self-reported HRQoL was assessed with the KIDSCREEN-27. Height and weight were objectively measured and body mass index categorized in normal, overweight or obese. Age, sex, and district-adjusted linear regression models were fitted to estimate associations between SEP indicators and HRQoL dimensions, according to weight status. RESULTS: We found that 24.9% of children were categorized as having overweight/obesity. The mean scores of the Physical Well-Being, and School Environment dimensions of HRQoL were lower among children classified with overweight/obesity compared to children with normal weight (57.21 vs 54.11, P < .001 and 57.85 vs 56.04, P = .010, respectively). Father's education was significantly associated with all HRQoL dimensions in children with a normal weight, but the same was not observed among children presenting overweight/obesity. An increase in the level of maternal education was also significantly associated with all HRQoL dimensions among children classified with a normal weight, and only for the School Environment dimension among children classified with overweight/obesity. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest the presence of socioeconomic inequalities in self-reported HRQoL from early age, particularly among children with normal weight.

Simulated vaginal delivery causes transients vaginal smooth muscle hypersensitivity and urethral sphincter dysfunction.

BACKGROUND: Although pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) has a multifactorial etiology, pregnancy and childbirth are considered crucial events predisposing to urinary incontinence as well as pelvic organ prolapse, which are highly prevalent. Rats are the most frequently used animal model and pudendal nerve crush (PNC) and vaginal distension (VD) are often used to mimic vaginal delivery. OBJECTIVE: To document the time course of events after simulated vaginal delivery (SVD) on the urethral sphincter and the vaginal smooth muscle layer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Virgin female Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to SVD (PNC + VD) or sham surgery and evaluated at 7, 14, 21, and 42 days after the injury. Urethral function was determined in vivo by microultrasound during cystometry and vaginal smooth muscle layer was harvested for in vitro pharmacologic investigation by isometric tension recording. Furthermore, vaginal and urethral samples were investigated by immunohistochemistry and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Microultrasound showed no bursting of the urethral sphincter in the SVD group at 7 days with a functional recovery starting at 14 days, and normal bursting at 21 and 42 days. Vaginal smooth muscle showed higher sensitivity to carbachol at 14 and 21 days after injury; however, at 42 days, its sensitivity decreased when compared with sham. CONCLUSION: SVD induces urethral dysfunction and a shift in vaginal smooth muscle contractile responses to carbachol.

Self-reported symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress in Portuguese primary school-aged children.

BACKGROUND: Symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress experienced during childhood might have a negative impact on development. This study explores factors associated with such symptoms among Portuguese primary school-aged children. METHODS: A sample of children (n = 1022, mean age = 8.77 years old) was recruited in public and private schools from the cities of Coimbra, Lisbon and Porto, Portugal. The children's version of the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-C) was self-administered. Multivariate logistic regression models were fitted to measure associations (expressed as Odds Ratio, OR and 95% Confidence Intervals, CI) between each DASS-C subscale, dichotomized by its 4th vs. 3rd or less quartiles (symptoms increase with scores), and covariates: child sex, age, socioeconomic status (SES), sports activity beyond school, children self-assessed health status, child and mother's body mass index and mother's DASS scores. RESULTS: Age was negatively associated with anxiety symptoms (adjusted OR, 95% CI: 0.70, 0.57-0.87) and girls, compared to boys, presented lower odds of depressive and stress symptoms (adjusted OR, 95% CI: 0.65, 0.47-0.92 and 0.57, 0.41-0.80, respectively). A low socioeconomic status was associated with more frequent symptoms of stress (adjusted OR, 95%CI for low compared to high SES: 1.61, 1.01-2.56). Children with poorer self-assessed health status and whose mothers scored higher in the DASS also presented significantly higher odds of scoring in the 4th quartile (vs. 3rd or less) of the three DASS-C subscales. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest the need to tailor preventive efforts targeting childhood mental health symptoms.

Assessing Nomophobia: Validation Study of the European Portuguese Version of the Nomophobia Questionnaire.

Nomophobia (no mobile phone phobia) can be defined as a situational phobia described by the fear of not having a smartphone available or being incapable of accessing the Internet. Based on these characteristics, the Nomophobia Questionnaire (NMP-Q) was designed, showing a four-factor structure and good psychometric characteristics. The current study intended to adapt the NMP-Q to European Portuguese (NMP-Q-PT) and test its factor structure and psychometric properties. Five hundred participants from the general population (convenience sampling) filled in the NMP-Q-PT, the Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version (SAS-SV) and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales (DASS-21). Three models were tested through confirmatory factor analysis. One higher order factor (global nomophobia) with four lower order factors revealed a good fit to the data. The NMP-Q-PT presented excellent consistency, construct and discriminant validity, as well as good concurrent and divergent validities. Overall, the NMP-Q-PT showed to be a reliable and valid instrument for measuring nomophobia.

Infertility-related stress and depressive symptoms - the role of experiential avoidance: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: The current study aimed to explore the mediating role of experiential avoidance in the relationship between infertility-related stress (impact of infertility in women's life and representations about the importance of parenthood) and depressive symptoms.Background: Infertility is a stress inducing condition presenting many challenges to individuals facing this diagnosis, particularly to the ones who decide to pursue medical treatment. One of its consequences may be the experience of depressive symptoms which have also been associated with increased infertility-related stress. Moreover, experiential avoidance, conceptualised as an emotion regulation process, has also been connected to psychopathological symptoms, particularly depressive symptoms.Methods: The sample consisted of 124 women presenting an infertility diagnosis who were pursuing medical treatment for fertility problems. Participants were recruited through the national patients' association website and completed the following self-report instruments: a sociodemographic and clinical questionnaire, the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II (AAQ-II), the Fertility Problem Inventory (FPI) and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales 21 (DASS-21).Results: Results showed that representations about the importance of parenthood were associated with depressive symptoms indirectly, throughout the association with the impact of infertility in women's life and use of experiential avoidance.Conclusions: Experiential avoidance can be considered a relevant emotion regulation process to be targeted in psychological intervention programs for women facing infertility.

Liquid Crystal Networks on Thermoplastics: Reprogrammable Photo-Responsive Actuators.

Arbitrary shape (re)programming is appealing for fabricating untethered shape-morphing photo-actuators with intricate configurations and features. We present re-programmable light-responsive thermoplastic actuators with arbitrary initial shapes through spray-coating of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) with an azobenzene-doped light-responsive liquid crystal network (LCN). The initial geometry of the actuator is controlled by thermally shaping and fixing the thermoplastic PET, allowing arbitrary shapes, including origami-like folds and left- and right-handed helicity within a single sample. The thermally fixed geometries can be reversibly actuated through light exposure, with fast, reversible area-specific actuation such as winding, unwinding and unfolding. By shape re-programming, the same sample can be re-designed and light-actuated again. The strategy presented here demonstrates easy fabrication of mechanically robust, recyclable, photo-responsive actuators with highly tuneable geometries and actuation modes.

The importance of developing relevant animal models to assess existing and new materials.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: We summarize the recent literature on the use of different animal models for testing existing and new materials for treatment of pelvic organ prolapse. RECENT FINDINGS: A wide spectrum of animal models is being used in urogynecology, both for the study of physiologic and pathophysiologic processes, training in surgical procedures, yet mainly to study the host response to implant materials. The quality of studies is variable, and procedures, read-outs, and reporting are not standardized. This makes comparison very difficult. The research community is experimenting with different knitting patterns, novel polymers, bioactivation, as well as resorbable rather than durable implants. Outcomes of the experiments are dependent on the location of implantation. Lighter polypropylene constructs seem to induce a less vigorous host response than elder heavier products. Modification of the surface yields contradictory findings. Resorbable acellular collagen matrices may be reintroduced as prophylactically inserted support structures. SUMMARY: Although animal experimentation with novel candidate implants is advocated, there is a lack of standardization in reporting. The concept of resorbable construct is being revived, as durable materials have caused clinical graft-related complications. Large animal experiments seem to provide interesting and more comprehensive information, yet their use may be contested.

Molecular identification of three species of Oncideres (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) using RAPD markers.

Twig girdlers have a short adult life and a long larval stage (up to one year in some species). This fact, together with lack of morphological traits to identify the species from the larval stage, poses obstacles for the taxonomic identification and characterization of the many twig girdlers found in the wild. To solve this matter, Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) molecular markers have been applied to identify some insect species and to determine species boundaries. The aim of this study was to identify three species of Oncideres using the RAPD technique. Adults and larvae of O. saga, O. ocularis and O. ulcerosa were collected in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Two RAPD primers were used (OPA-05 and OPB-13), which produced different electrophoretic profiles that were used to construct a UPGMA phenogram. Three groups identified in the analyses accurately separated the three species, based on individuals in two different stages of development (adults and larvae): I: O. saga, II: O. ulcerosa, and III: O. ocularis. Molecular markers, such as RAPD, are valuable tools that help taxonomists in species identification.

A 7-year follow-up study of the Mindfulness-Based Program for Infertility: Are there long-term effects?

The Mindfulness-Based Program for Infertility (MBPI) was developed for people facing infertility and proved effective in cultivating mindfulness skills, improving infertility self-efficacy, and decreasing depression, shame, entrapment, and defeat feelings. Fifty-five women attended the MBPI sessions and completed self-report measures of depression, anxiety, mindfulness, and experiential avoidance at post-MBPI (T1), 6-month follow-up (T2), and 7-year follow-up (T3). There were significant direct time effects regarding experiential avoidance (F = 3.81; p < 0.033; ηp 2  = 0.08), the mindfulness facets describing (F = 3.54; p = 0.037; ηp 2  = 0.13), acting with awareness (F = 6.87; p = 0.002; ηp 2  = 0.22), nonjudging of inner experience (F = 10.66; p < 0.001; ηp 2  = 0.31), and depressive symptoms (F = 4.85; p = 0.020; ηp 2  = 0.10). There was an increase in the describing facet from T1 to T3 (p = 0.036). The act with awareness facet increased from T1 to T2 (p = 0.010) and from T1 to T3 (p = 0.007), as well as the nonjudging of inner experience facet (T1 to T2 [p = 0.030] and T1 to T3 [p = 0.002]). Experiential avoidance decreased from T1 to T3 (p = 0.022) and depressive symptoms from T1 to T2 (p = 0.019). Post-MBPI scores were maintained at T2 and T3 concerning anxiety symptoms and the observing and no-reactivity mindfulness facets. There were long-term effects of MBPI on mindfulness and experiential avoidance. Moreover, therapeutic gains were maintained regarding depression and anxiety symptoms, independently of the reproductive outcome.

Comparative cytogenetics in three Melipona species (Hymenoptera: Apidae) with two divergent heterochromatic patterns.

The genus Melipona is subdivided into four subgenera based on morphological characteristics, and two groups based on cytogenetic patterns. The cytogenetic information on this genus is still scarce, therefore, the goal of this study was to characterize Melipona paraensis, Melipona puncticollis, and Melipona seminigra pernigra using the following techniques: C-banding, DAPI/CMA3 fluorochromes, and FISH with an 18S rDNA probe. Melipona paraensis (2n=18) and M. seminigra pernigra (2n=22) were classified as high heterochromatin content species (Group II). Their euchromatin is restricted to the ends of the chromosomes and is CMA3+; the 18S rDNA probe marked chromosome pair number 4. Melipona puncticollis (2n=18) is a low heterochromatin content species (Group I) with chromosome pair number 1 marked with CMA3 and 18S rDNA. Low heterochromatin content is a putative ancestral karyotype in this genus and high content is not a monophyletic trait (Melikerria presents species with both patterns). Differences concerning the karyotypic characteristics can be observed among Melipona species, revealing cytogenetic rearrangements that occurred during the evolution of this genus. Studies in other species will allow us to better understand the processes that shaped the chromatin evolution in Melipona.